anyone recommend a code reader please thanks

Depends how far you want to go.

I've got a few. Starting with a dongle that plugs into the OBD2 port and connects to my iPad via an app, and a cheap Autel that just reads engine codes.

Better to get a reader that does all four main sections - SRS, ABS, Engine and Transmission.
For this I have an Autel EU701 and an iCarsoft i950 dedicated for Alfa's and Fiats. These will read and clear codes from all the above. Cost? From £10 for the cheapie to £130 for the dearest.

There's plenty more to choose from, which I'm sure other forum members will describe to you.

Hi,
Multiecuscan on a laptop is one of the best. Find your car and engine on the supported vehicles list http://www.multiecuscan.net/SupportedVehiclesList.aspx to see what interface / adaptor(s) you need. I recommend an ELM 327 USB. buy from a seller who lists it as modified.

Robert G8RPI.

thanks mate is the maxiscan ms300 or ms309 worth buying

Both those Autel units will knock off the MIL - engine light - but they won't do much else. The cheapo I mentioned is the MS300.
You pays your money ....

so better off using garage then really if the cheapos only turn off engine light

triballofts said:

so better off using garage then really if the cheapos only turn off engine light

Click to expand...

As he said, depends on what you want. For most folks it's enough to turn off the light and £10 is cheaper than the £50 a garage would charge.

just thought it would be handy to read any other codes so you could check if everything was ok also handy when buying another car

triballofts said:

just thought it would be handy to read any other codes so you could check if everything was ok also handy when buying another car

Click to expand...

Agree with that.

But don't buy Multiecuscan if that's your aim - or iCarsoft i950. They're dedicated to Fiats and Alfas.
You'll need a scanner that covers most cars - like a Foxwell NT600 or Autel 801. They cover the four main areas I mentioned above. Bit more expensive at £80 upwards, but worth it.

Your friends will love you too!

so cheapo s no good for pulling codes and changing parts

triballofts said:

so cheapo s no good for pulling codes and changing parts

Click to expand...

Mine was a £10 one off ebay - generic for any car. I wanted it to reset the code as I kinda knew the car was a lying dog anyway. It will tell you all the generic codes.


MES will tell you a lot more - you can plug it in on a test drive and scare your car sales rep if you want. But it's a lot of money for something you'll barely use.


If you don't like the £10 one, you've lost a few quid if you decide to upgrade.

thanks everyone for your help

AB100 said:

Mine was a £10 one off ebay - generic for any car. I wanted it to reset the code as I kinda knew the car was a lying dog anyway. It will tell you all the generic codes.

Click to expand...

Worth stating that's engine only. It will not read gearbox, abs or safety belt faults.
But engine light is often the biggest hiccup, so worth starting with one like this.

Sweetsixteen said:

Agree with that.

But don't buy Multiecuscan if that's your aim - or iCarsoft i950. They're dedicated to Fiats and Alfas.
You'll need a scanner that covers most cars - like a Foxwell NT600 or Autel 801. They cover the four main areas I mentioned above. Bit more expensive at £80 upwards, but worth it.

Your friends will love you too!

Click to expand...

Multiecuscan won't work with other cars but the ELM327 interface and laptop will. There is plenty of cheap or free/demo software for other makes. It is so much easier to use and more powerful than a generic unit. Also if you have a mJTD with a DPF you must use a Fiat specific setup to reset the oilchange counter in addition to just turning off the service light otherwise you will get DPF issues.

Robert G8RPI.

g8rpi said:

Also if you have a mJTD with a DPF you must use a Fiat specific setup to reset the oilchange counter in addition to just turning off the service light otherwise you will get DPF issues.

Click to expand...

Can be done with multiecuscan.

triballofts said:

thanks everyone for your help

Click to expand...

No problem,
where are you based, a demo is quite possible if you attend Mitcar in Corby in a couple of weeks time,
Charlie - Oxford

hi thanks for that but i am quite away from you i am in Shropshire

I'm not going "home" to Salop for a while..,

Charlie

been looking at the elm327 as was recommended in this thread looks good if i can understand it does a lot more don't know who sell a genuine one though as there are loads on ebay

Clones are a problem. Elm Electronics designed the ELM327 protocol, but there are now plenty of copies. Some work and others are a pain.

If you get the genuine item, you will still need to connect to a laptop or PC or tablet, plus appropriate software on your device.

You can connect via hardwire, or bluetooth, or wi fi, or with a usb connection.
Well worth a bit of research if you want to take that route.
Loads of guys on here have good setups, so guess they'll be along to advise.

For me the preference is a standalone, like iCarsoft and Foxwell, but I also have a dongle that stays plugged in to my OBD2 port that I can interrogate with my iPad.
And I still get codes I can't sort!